GarlicFart's "Let's make this truck useless for everything but camping or road trips" build

Sorry - never responded to this. I was looking at making it happen but I don't think I can, unfortunately

Hope it goes good!

 

Damn all good man, just thought id invite you! Its a long way haha.

 

Clip in gutter guard for rear window screen. Can leave window open without bugs coming in - should help with air flow for overnights! TBD on the rain protection but I'm also considering a pop up to put up over the whole shebang if I can find one cheap enough.

 

Did you make it or
Where did you find it?

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerima...White-Vinyl-Mesh-Gutter-Guard-85270/100009044

I saw someone did similar for a door window, but i already have bug net door covers. But i liked the idea and for 1.50$ i figured let's try the back window.

 

Thank you!

 

I finally got some better pictures of the platform setup.

Recommendation if you do this: When you take the seat out, it's held in with four 14mm bolts. Put the seat toward the front on its rails, and pull the lever to put the back part of the seat all the way forward for ease of removal. Take the seat out through the back door, then put the bolts back into the threaded holes for safe keeping.



There's basically two "boxes" that I use




And here's the whole shebang




If you'll notice toward the back wall, the PVC frame ends before the back wall. The plywood keeps going, and there's more space back there. The overhang is about 6" max, so it's "unsupported" back there. Not a big deal.




And from the inner side, I can actually get under the platform back there still, for storage for any reason.














That's a lounge chair cushion. I also have 2 couch cushions I use that are a bit wider and taller too. THOSE cushions make it essentially sleeping on a couch, which is fantastic to have when you're in the middle of the woods! Lounge chair cushion (this one that I have) is a bit thinner, but still has been comfortable for me.

I built this using 1" SCH 40 PVC, a tape measure, one of these ratcheting cutters below, and some fittings. The 4 way T fittings were not available at the local stores, had to order those online, but all the 3 way and 90" bends were available and cheap.



I think all in I am around 150$ for the frame and platform w/ the cutting tool (made it super easy, built it in a couple hours). Cushions/bedding additional.

I used this cut list calculator to keep waste down and tell me how much/where to cut. I think my waste ended up being a couple 6" sections and that was it, this helped a ton.

https://www.opticutter.com/linear-cut-list-calculator

I think I looked at 3/4" in the store and didn't feel like it was going to be sturdy enough, so I went with 1" SCH 40.

None of the joints are glued, it has come out a couple times and it's very quick and easy to break down.


Here it is set up for a camping trip with the cushions in, and an electric blanket for the heat




Post edited 2023-10-17: Pictures went haywire, reuploaded pictures, and added the completed setup picture at the bottom as well.



I also want to add another note: I currently use 2 couch cushions, when "down", the one at the front will be VERY tight to the shifter. It's usable, but in the way. I've found that I can take the cushions and fold up the bottom one into the back like a clamshell sort of thing, then the entire front part of the platform is "open". This was great for trips where I'm driving through the day, I can put sweatshirts/bags/food/snacks/whatever up front there.

Here it is in the "folded up" position



And when down, you can see how it interferes with the shifter, and some of the stuff on the center stack too.



(sorry for the mess)

Another thing to look out for if doing similar is the glove box - you want to be able to open it still! This can fully drop down when opened when the platform is installed. The cushions give it a bit of a challenge, but it's not too bad.

 

That seems like a good thing to 3d print. Put a little overhang on it that sticks out towards the bed to keep the rain off.

 

I wanted to give a "review"/tip on THESE things. They're great, they're actually kind of tight-knit and actually can be "restrictive" for airflow. I have a fan but without the fan they can heat things up in the cab if it's hot out. But they're pretty great for cab sleepers, cover the doors, drop the windows, wide open tent window!

What I learned this weekend: they're a leak path in the rain. I've had them on in mist, light rain, etc before. This weekend the rain was dumping down on us Friday night, I had these on and the windows cracked (I have rain guards on), to get some air flowing. I learned - these will let water seep into the cab. :| it wasn't a lot of water, but it was definitely there.

 

@dwcfastrice @paulisinataco

Sorry I ran away Sunday AM, this completely slipped my mind. I put some more pictures and details up in this post just now.

 

Thanks dude. I have goose gear in the rear of my access cab. I think there would be enough room for a platform.

 

How tall are you? I am 5'10", crew cab, from end to end, I juuuust fit. I can extend my legs fully, so that's nice. I did this for 8...? nights in a row, and it was significantly comfortable, I was not lacking for comfort with the couch cushions. The lounge chair cushion is nice because it's slim, but definitely not as comfortable. Couch is well worth it

My rear panel is still on, so that takes away probably 6 inches. If I did it lower, I'd lose storage underneath, but could squeeze in under the glove box and probably get another 6-10 inches. I'd have to pull measurements on an extended cab, but could certainly be doable.

The benefits of rocking up to camp and being done straight away is awesome

 

5'7 but I'm not sure if I could live out of the truck for extended periods of time like that.

 

Hmm...Did I tag the wrong person @dwcfastrice ? He mentioned someone who did seasonal work and moved around a lot.

5'7, without the rear panel on an access cab might fit well. The bed is a nice setup, but I DO like how I can throw lord knows what in the bed, and not have to unload everything to sleep there. On road trips it's nice because I can (and have) crawled over and driven away in the rain/snow

 

No I'm the right guy. I'm looking for a new job and I'd have work full-time at this new one. The only way I'm able to travel is I live at work. So gonna have to pay rent.

 

This is awesome. I'm going to have to do some research on this. I'm planning on keeping my rear seat so my platform might be bit taller

 

I was replying to the wrong thread yesterday. I briefly looked at crew cabs ad got a value on my truck from car gurus. I don't think a new truck is in the cards. Even used are too high.

 

I feel you there. I have been looking at going up to a short bed/NA V6 F150 before they go away, maybe a long bed tacoma to have the sleeping space in the bed as an option, etc - but then I look at the costs. I know the value of mine has gone up, too, at trade in, but yeesh.

 

Yeah I would break even if I didn't buy another truck.

 

Just thinking out loud. If you have a platform the same height as the goose gear, you could do a diagonal sleeping position and have more space.